Regulator system



Dec. 29, 19 25 1,567,607 E. E. L.EHR

REGULATOR SYSTEM Griginal Filed June 16, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Edwin E. Lehr:

BY M603 ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

Dec. 29,1925 1,567,607 E. E. LEHR REGULATOR SYSTEM Original Filed June 16 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY I Patented Dec. 29, 1925.

ED171 11? E. LEHR, 0F 'WZLKIHSBURG,

-NUEL TO VJESTINGI-IOUSE ELECTRIC a MIANUFAGTURZNG CGTEEANY, A Gi les URATIGE-T OF PENNSYLVANIA.

REGULATOR SYSTEM.

Application filed June 18, 1922, Serial No. 568,730. Renewed June 2S, 1925.

T0 oZZ whom. it away concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN E. 'Lniirn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of lVilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State 01 Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Regulator Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to regulator systems and it has special relation to induction regulator control systems and apparatus.

One object of my invention is to provide a control system for an induction regulator with new and improved apparatus which will speed up the operation of the regulator in correcting for voltage variations upon the power circuit to which the same is connected, and also minimize unnecessary operation of the regulator.

The voltage variations encountered in pmvw-circuit operation which need to be corrected for are, first, those caused by slow changes on the system, of small value such as a fraction 01' a volt, and second, those more abrupt and wider voltage variations. The first set of changes are not immediately perceptible in their effects upon the power circuit and the dynamo-electric machines connected thereto, but need to be corrected for it of continued duration, while the second group or? corrections need to be corrected for as rapidly as possible.

More specifically, my invention comprises improvements upon the invention of S. D. Sprong, filed February 20, 1922, Serial No. 537,859, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric & h lanutacturing Company. In that application is suggested the use of a damped electromagnet and an undamped electromagnet, both of which are energized in accordance with the characteristic of the power circuit being regulated. Said electromagnets are adapted to control the oper ation of co-operating contact members and means for preventing hunting action of the induction regulators is also provided.

The present invention embodies the principles set forth in said application, and involves improving the apparatus and the operation thereof by mounting one set of contact members upon a relatively long arm and mounting the second set of contact members upon a relatively short arm.

The present invention also contemplates providing compounding coils for preventing chattering of the contact members.

Reference may now be had to the accomdrawings, wherein- Figure l is a front elevation of a panel board containing the new control apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a diagrannnatic illustration of an induction regulator control system embodying the apparatus of the present iuvention.

Referring to vFig. 3, an induction regulator l, eibodying a current coil 2 and a voha e coil 3, is operatively connected to apon 'er circuit comprising conductors 4 and 5. The induction regulator 1 may be operated by means of a motor 6 through reversin *itches 7 and 8. The reversing switches are adapted to be selectively operated by means of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

'lhis apparatus GlillJOCllQS an electromagnct 9 having a core armature 11 pivotally secured to one end of a lever arm 12. The lever arm 19 is pivoted at 13 in a bracket 14 and has co-operatiug with the free end thereof a spring 15 that is secured at its other end to a screw 16, adjustable within a bracket 17. The arm 12 has rivetet thereto a plate 18 which carries a bent leaf spring 19 that overlies the plate 18, as will be seen best from Fig. 2. The spring 19 carries a contact member 21. A contact iiember 22 is mounted on the opposite side of the pivot 18 in a similar manner to that described for the contact member 21.

An electromagnet 23, which is connected in circuit with the electromagnet 9, has a core armature 24 that is pivotally secured to a lever arm The lever arm 25 is pivoted at 26 to the bracket let. The core armature 2% has co-operating with the free end thereof a time-element device, such as a two-way dash-pot 2'7, the action of which may be regulated by means ot' thumb screws 28 in a well-known manner.

A flat spring 29 has its central portion secured to the lever by means of s ws 31, illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The respective ends of the spring 29 carry contact members 32 and 33, which are adapted to co-operate with contact members 22 and 21, respectively. Adjustable screws 3st and So are carried by the arm 25 and respectively co-operate with the contact members 32 and thereby rendering it possible to adjust the position of these contact members.

A coil spring 36, which is adjustable by means or": a screw 37 operating in bracket 38, is secured near one end of, and co-ope'rates with the arm 25. The pull of the spring 3'6 counterbalances the pull of the electromagnet 23.

The lever arm 1 has mounted upon the opposite ends thereof armatures a1 and i2, which are adapted to be attracted by the energization 0t eleetromagnets and 44 that are located above said armatures, each tii'ne the illustrated control apparatus is operated. The purpose of the electromagnets 4-3 and id is to selectively attract the armatnies ll and 42 to prevent chattering of the contact members.

The bracket 1% is secured to a panel board 15 by means of screws 16, best shown in Fig. 2. The electromagnets 9 and 23 are secured to the panel board by means of brackets and screws 48. The dash-pot mechanism 27 is secured to the panel board as by means of bolts 49. The panel board i9 is secured within a casing 51, by means or"; screws 53. The casing has a glass front 52.

The coils of the electromagnets 9 and 23 are adapted to be energized in accordance with the voltage of the power circuit through transformer 54-. (See Fig. 3.)

The lever arm 12, upon which are mounted contact members 21 and 22, is relatively long, while the lever arm 25, upon which are mounted contact members 32 and 33, is relatively short. The electromagnet 9, actuating the longer lever arm 12, is undamped, and the electromagnet 23, actuating the shorter lever arm 25, is damped. For a particular voltage change in the circuit energizing magnets 9 and 23, the armatures 11 and 2-1 will correspondingly change their positions. Since, however, the lever arm 12 is longer than the lever arm 25, it will make a smaller angular movement, and, consequently, the contact members 21 and 22 will move a lesser degree than the contact members 32 and 33.

It a slight change in voltage exists for a short time only, the cooperating contact members on the arms 12 and 25 will not be engaged, since the long arm 12 will move only a slight amount, and the short arm having a damped action, will move slowly. Should, however, the changed condition be maintained, the contacts will close and effect the regulation. If a decided chan e in voltage occurs, the undainped magnet 9 will actuate the lever 12 suiliciently to immediately close the contacts.

The operation or the apparatus is substantially as iollows:

Assume that the normal gap between each pair or contact members corresponds to volt, it being understood that the distance between the contact members determines the permissible voltage variation upon the power circuit.

Assume now that there is an abrupt voltage variation of 1 volts upon the power circuit 4, The electromagnet 9 will be instantaneously ctuated. However, because 01 the long-radius sectors to be traversed by the arm 12, the contact members 22 and 32 tail to engage each other. lVhile the electromagnet is simultaneously energized with the electromagnet 9, it cannot instantaneously move the contact member 32, because of the damping action of the ash-pot 27. Accordingly, there will be no operation of the induction regulator to corroot for this abrupt voltage variation.

the variation is of long enough duration to permit the electromagnet 23 to move the contact arm a suliicient distance to etii'ect engagement of the contact members 32 and 22, the induction regulator will be operated to correct for the variation. It will be understood that the apparatus is so designed that a voltage variation is not permitted to exist for a length of time sufficientto have a damaging effect upon the power circuit or the apparatus connected thereto. It will be further noted that the co-operating contact members are moved toward each other to ellect the corrective operation of the regulator.

Next, assume a voltage variation of volt or extended duration. The electromagnet 9 will be instantaneously energized, but, because of the weight of the arm 12 a d the length thereof, this small variation will not be sntl'icient to move the contact member 22. However, the electromagnet 23 will operate the arm 25 to ell'ect engagement between the contact members 32 and 22 as soon as the time element of the dash-pot 27 is overcome. It will be noted that the regulator has not been operated to correct for the assumed small voltage variation until it has existed for a predetermined length of time, which time is long enough to insure that the variation is more than temporary and, therefore, should be corrected for.

Next, assume an abrupt voltage variation of 1%. volts. The electromagnet 9 will be immediately operated to cause engagement of the contact members 22 and without any movement on the part of the contact member 32, which is under control of the electromagnet 23. Of course, the simultaneously nergized electromagnet 23 will shortly eflect a movement of the contact member 32 in the direction of the contact member 22, which action will merely insure more perfect contact.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the control apparatus has only been described as effecting engag ment between the contact members 22 and 32, which is the correct operation for an increase in voltage upon the power circuit. However, it will be understood that the apparatus operates in the same manner, e:-: cept in the opposite direction, etlect engagement between the contact members 33 and 21 upon a decrease in voltage upon the power circuit.

Hunting action of the regulator prevented in each instance, since the undamped electromagnet 9 immediately responds to the return of the voltage upon the power circuit to its normal value, and this in e diate response will cause promptdisengagement of the engaged contact members. In each of the assumed corrections, the normal operation of the system is for the contact members to selectively energize the reversing switches 7 and 8 to rotate the motor 6 in one direction or the other, in accordance with familiar practice.

By eliminating the unnecessary functioning of the regulator with a close setting of the contact members of the control apparatus, the tendency of the regulator to overrun is eliminated and it has become possible to speed up the corrective operation of the regulator.

Modifications in the syst m and arrange ment and location of parts be made within the spirit and scope of my invention, and such modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. In a regulator system, the combination with a power circuit and an induction regulator connected thereto, of control cans therefor comprising an electromaguct, a relatively short contact-carrying arm con trolled thereby, time-element mechanism operating with said clectromagnet, a second electromagnet connected in circuit with the first-mentioned electromagnet and a relatively long contact-carrying arm controlled thereby, each contact-carrying arm being provided with a plurality of co-operating contact members.

2. In a regulator system, the combination with a power circuit and an ind action regulator connected thereto, of control means therefor comprising an electromagnet, a relatively shortarm controlled thereby carrying a plurality of contact members, a second electromagnet, a relatively long arm controlled thereby carrying a plurality of co-operating contact members, said contact mechanism being controlled the opera lens of said electromagnets to govern the operation of the induction regulator in the one direction or in the other direction.

In a regulator system, the combination with power circuit and an induction regulator connected thereto, of control means therefor comprising an electromagnet energized in a cordancc will haracteristic of aid oower circuit, a second electromagnet connected in circuit with the first-- mentioned elec omagnet, and means controlled by said ciectromagnets to respective ly receive relatirely small and relatively large movements wherel y the control of the operation induction regulator is initia ed ing time intervals.

I or system, the combination circuit and an induction regud thereto, of control means )ll; u an clectromagnet ener- LL auce with a characteristic of circuit, a second electromagnet oted circuit with the first-mentioned electromagnct, ans controlled by said electron'uigncts to respectively receive relatively small and relatively large movements whereby he control ot the operation ot said inregulator is initiated atter vary- 1 intervals, one means for preventing action.

. *tor system, the combination with a power circuit and an induction regulator connected thereto, of control means there-tor comprising damped electromagnet, a relatively short arm controlled there by, a pair of contact members controlled by salt arm, an undaiuped electromagnet, a relatively long arm controlled thereby and a pair of contact members controlled by said arm, said electromagnets co opcrating to selectively control the engagement of said contact members. i

In a regulator system, the combination with a power circuit and an induction regulator con iccted t ereto, oi. control means therefor COi'l'ilis a damped elcctroumgnet, means controlled thereby having relatively small increment, contact in l oers controlled by said means, an unr -imped electromagnei", moans controlled thereby having a relatively large movement, and contact members controlled thereby, said electromagnets selectively controlling the engagement of said contact members.

'7. In a re .lator system, the combination with a power circuit and an induction regulator connected thereto, of control means therefor adapted to o rate said regulator only in the event ot' rel .tively large powercircuit variations of appreciable duration, and comprising a phiality of electromagnets, means respectively controlled thereby raving movements of dil'lerent degree and contact mechanism verned by the operation of said last-m tioned means.

8. In a regulator c em, the combination with a power circuit and a regulator connected thereto, of control means for said regulator comprising a damped electromagnet, a pair oi contact members controlled thereby, an undampcd electromagnet and a pair of contact members controlled thereby, said contact members respectively traversing distances which difi'cr with the diti'erent power-circuit variations to be corrected.

9. In a regulator system, the combination with a power circuit and an induction regu lator connected thereto, of control means theretor adapted to operate said regulator only in the event of relatively arge powercircuit variations 0t appreciable duration, and comprising a plurality of elcctron'iagnets, means respectively controlled thereby having movements of dili erent degree and contact mechanism governed by the operation of said last-mentioned means, said electromagnets cooperating to selectively control the engagement of said contact members.

10. In a regulator system, the combination with a power circuit and an induction regulator connected thereto, of control means for said regulator comprising an elec tromagnet having a core armature, a pivoted, relatively long lever arm to one end of which said core armature is connected, an adjustable spring secured to the opposite end of said lever arm, a pair of spring-mounted contact members respectively located on opposite sides or said pivot, a second electromagnet having a core armature, a dash-pot mechanism co-operating with said core armature, a pivoted, relatively short lever arm to one end of which is connected the secondmentioned core armature, a pair of springmounted adjustable contact members carried by said arm and respectively located on opposite sides of said pivot and adapted to co-operate with the first-mentioned contact members, an adjustable spring co-operating with the opposite end of said relatively short lever arm, metallic plates respectively carried at opposite ends of said relatively long lever arm and electromagnets adapted to be selectively energized in accordance with the operation of said contact arm to co-operate with said metallic plates to thereby prevent chattering action of said contact members.

11. In a regulator system, the combination with a power circuit and an induction regulator connected thereto, or control means for said regulator comprising an electromagnet, a relatively long lever arm controlled thereby, an adjustable spring secured to said lever arm, a pair of contact members operated thereby, a second electroimignet having a dash-pot mechanism co-operating therewith, a relatively short lever arm controlled by the second-mentioned electromagnet, a pair of contact members controlled by said arm and adapted to co-operate with the first-mentioned electromagnets, an adjustable spring secured to said relatively short lever arm, and means for preventing chatten ing action of said contact members.

12. A relay mechanism comprising a damped electroi'i'iagnet, an undamped electromagnet, a plurality ot lever arms of dit :terent lengths respectively controlled by said el ctromagnets, a plurality of contact members controlled by said lever arms and a portion of which is adjustable, and means tor preventing chattering action of said contact members.

13. In a regulator system, the combination with a power circuit, and an induction regulator connected thereto, of control means therefor comprising a plurality of members of unequal length, a plurality 0t contact members controlled thereby, and damped and undamped electron'iagnets adapted to operate said members whereby hunting action of said system is prevented.

14. In a regulator system, the con'ibination with a power circuit and an induction regulator connected thereto, of control means therefor comprising a damped electron'iagnet, at relatively short arm controlled thereby, a pair of contact members controlled by said arm, an undamped electromagnct, a relatively long arm controlled thereby and a pair of contact members controlled by said arm, said electromagnets controlling said arms: for actuating cooperating contactmembers toward each other at diti'erent rates of movement.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 8th day of June,

EDVIN E. LEHR. 

